Show us what you did today, thread
- Thread starter clockworkgazz
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velomaniac
MacRetro Rider
I'm here dyna and I bought a late 40's/early 50's Rudge Whitworth machine about 10 year ago.
Used it stock for a while with rod operated drum brakes, 3 speed SA hub with rear drum (135 seperate comonent parts I was told in those hubs) and original steel wheels and 28 x 1.5" tyres. Weighed 46 Ibs all in and required anticipating the need to brake miles in advance
Eventually could not deal with the weight and rubbish brakes any longer so stripped it down to the frame and passed most components onto the Bikestation.
About 3 years ago I rebuilt it as a fixie with some hybrid forks and wide upswept cruiser bars. It still sports its original 'hand' logo chainset. Now weight around 30 Ibs plus which is heavy for a fixie but I dont care.
Its my favourite bike and gets commuted to and from work and was ridden through the snow and ice today.
I have even toured in Belgium and Holland on it and raced in a Single Speed race although I think I was as near last as makes little difference
The only issues you might have with it are the fact its actually a Raleigh in disguise as Rudge's Coventry based cycle business folded during the depression and was bought out by Raleigh and production moved to their Nottingham HQ. As a result it will have the bloody annoying feature of 26 TPI threading on the fork steerer and bottom bracket so that only original Raleigh components will fit :facepalm:
Have fun !
Used it stock for a while with rod operated drum brakes, 3 speed SA hub with rear drum (135 seperate comonent parts I was told in those hubs) and original steel wheels and 28 x 1.5" tyres. Weighed 46 Ibs all in and required anticipating the need to brake miles in advance
Eventually could not deal with the weight and rubbish brakes any longer so stripped it down to the frame and passed most components onto the Bikestation.
About 3 years ago I rebuilt it as a fixie with some hybrid forks and wide upswept cruiser bars. It still sports its original 'hand' logo chainset. Now weight around 30 Ibs plus which is heavy for a fixie but I dont care.
Its my favourite bike and gets commuted to and from work and was ridden through the snow and ice today.
I have even toured in Belgium and Holland on it and raced in a Single Speed race although I think I was as near last as makes little difference
The only issues you might have with it are the fact its actually a Raleigh in disguise as Rudge's Coventry based cycle business folded during the depression and was bought out by Raleigh and production moved to their Nottingham HQ. As a result it will have the bloody annoying feature of 26 TPI threading on the fork steerer and bottom bracket so that only original Raleigh components will fit :facepalm:
Have fun !
Was thinking of rebuilding the wheels in alloy with lovely s/s spokes,that should save a bit of weight :? as to the rod brakes,its not like i can go very fast so braking should be acceptable
I promise not to cobble a set of discs onto it
But as you say,it will be fun.
@ Jamie
Unlikely to be doing much this year.Health is not good
Its not just the smoking,im pretty sure i damaged something at Dunkeld a couple of years ago, taking in huge breathes of frozen air :?
I promise not to cobble a set of discs onto it
Im in the bike station remember,finding these parts is a doddle,and we've got many of the tools needed to cut threads etc.If all else fails it would be probably easier it retap them all to modern m series :?velo":2fjz32pa said:
But as you say,it will be fun.
@ Jamie
Unlikely to be doing much this year.Health is not good
Its not just the smoking,im pretty sure i damaged something at Dunkeld a couple of years ago, taking in huge breathes of frozen air :?
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looking great mind and give me first refusal if it is ever getting sold
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Cheers Gaz. Will give you first refusal if I decide to sell. Can only see that happening if the right Titanium frame comes up, but you never know.
Dyna. I'm not sure if you are trying to sell me some forks or buy some. The forks that were fitted are Z3.5s from '99/'00 and have 100mm travel, which is why they are a bit long for the Kili. If you are interested they might be for sale once I have tested the new front end. Let me know.
So today I crawled from my sick bed to take photos of what I did yesterday.
I have turned the Kili into a 69er. :mrgreen:
A new/NOS Kona 700C P2 fork with 29er wheel, and I finally found a tyre that would clear.
No much clearance mind.
This combination actually lowers the front end from what it was with the bombers so hopefully the handling will be a bit better, not that it was bad with the Bombers. Also happen to think it looks quite good.
Dyna. I'm not sure if you are trying to sell me some forks or buy some.
The forks that were fitted are Z3.5s from '99/'00 and have 100mm travel, which is why they are a bit long for the Kili. If you are interested they might be for sale once I have tested the new front end. Let me know.So today I crawled from my sick bed to take photos of what I did yesterday.
I have turned the Kili into a 69er. :mrgreen:
A new/NOS Kona 700C P2 fork with 29er wheel, and I finally found a tyre that would clear.
No much clearance mind.
This combination actually lowers the front end from what it was with the bombers so hopefully the handling will be a bit better, not that it was bad with the Bombers. Also happen to think it looks quite good.
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